Method and apparatus for producing resilient printing plates



Jan. 1925. 1,522,928

F. C. WIGGINS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RESILIENT PRTNTING PLATES Filed March 19, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F. C. WIGGINS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RESILIENT PRTNTING PLATES Filed March 19. 1921 Jan.

m J A w A l M U A I \w. i 7 .M/.

1/ 5% I A A m J nection with a cylinder or rotary FRED COTTON WIGGINS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, T0 FULTON BAG & COTTON iifgzag MILLS, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING :ans mnnr PRINTING PLATES.

Application filed March 19, 1921. Serial No. 453,759.

To aZZ whom it may concewz Be it known that L'FRED C. WIGGINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Methods and Apparatus for Producing Resilient Printing Plates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention essentially relates to the art of printing butmore especially it is directed to a new and improved method for effecting a printing element partlcularly applicable to coarse fabric printing. M

The principal purpose of this'invention is to provide a simple and efficient process for duplicating a stereotype or similar plate in soft pliablematerial, the duplication possessing the necessary requisites to. aft'orda clear cut non-blurred imprint on burlap, ute, or similar coarse fabrics.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a process of thecharacter mentioned, affording a resilient printlng element or plate which may be employed as a stamp, used for flat printing, or in conpress for single or multi-colored coarse fabric printit further important feature of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive method for producing anovel negative mold or matrix from a positive stereotype or like plate, which is adapted to function as an intermediary in the production of a resilient printing element.

Other objects of this invention are: to provide a printing element affording a better quality of printing on coarse fabrics; conservation of ink; decreased mechanical strain on the press owing to the resilient nature of the plate; fewer stoppages of the press for adjustment and cleaning of plate, and a material increase in thelife of the latter.

With these and other objects in view,

7 which will become apparent as the descripof parts, hereinafter more fully describedand claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference throughout the several figures, of which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a positive vention, it will hereinafter be considered stereotype or like plate bearing a suitab design;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section,

illustrating the plastic material embeded in the negative mold for producing a duplication of the positive plate; and

Fig. 7 is a similar view, illustrating the resilientiplate removed from the mold and equipped with a backing of wire and fabric. Briefly stated, this invention consists in producing a. positive plate, bearing the required design, by a stereotype process or otherwise, and transferring the design of the positive plate, through the medium of a negative mold bearing a reversal of the original cut, to a plastic material, the transfer being effected by a predetermined application of heat and pressure.

Considerable difficulty has been experienced in obtaining a printing element which would produce a clear nonblurred imprint on coarse fabrics, especially on certain kinds of bags, such as burlap, jute, and the like,-as in each of these materials the yarn varies in size and presents an extremely irregular surface to the printing plate. As stereotype plates have been employed for this character of printing, the irregularities in the fabric surface prevented that intimate contact between the printing plate and the fabric essential to an even and clear impression.-

1 The aim and purpose of this invention, therefore, is to overcome these deficiencies by providing a resilient plate which is sufficiently pliable to yield to the irregularities in the fabric surface, while at the same time possessing sufiicient rigidity to withstand without distortion the enormous presindicate like parts sure incident to this character of printing.

To facilitate the discussion of this in- Positive plate. 7 To carry out the process constituting the subject matter of this invention, it is first a necessary to secure an original or positive plate 1 bearing a suitable design 2. This plate may be formed by any well known stereotyping or engraving process and furelled receptacle or mold 5.

ther discussion is t erefore deeme unnecessary.

Negative plate 01' mold.

To secure a reverse impression of the design 2, a negative plate or mold is formed by beating or otherwise forcing a matrix forming composition 3 into the design 2, as indicated at 4. This composition usually comprises an absorbent material coated with an adhesive and having superimposed tissue.

The positive plate 1 with the embedded matrix 3 is transferred to a centrally swiv- This mold is provided with a molding chamber 6 communicating with an opening 7 which forms an inlet for the molten sterebtype or similar metal constituting the metallic backing 8.

The free end or margin of the matrix 3 is allowed to project through opening 7 to expedite passage of the molten metal. In this connection it is to be understood, of r.-ourse,'that the interior dimensions of the chamber 6 may be varied according to the thickness of the backing desired.

After the molten metal has been allowed to sufliciently set, the entire structureis taken from the receptacle or mold 5, and the matrix 3 with its metallic backing 8 is removed from plate 1. In order to facilitate this removal, it has been found advisable to previously coat with a suitable material the plate, to prevent adherence of the parts.

The new and metal reenforced negative mold. resulting from this procedure is unaffected by heat or extreme ressure, and it may be employed indefinite y in reproducing the original cut, casts or plates heretofore employed for analogous purposes.

Flem'bte printing element.

To form the flexible printing element, a suitable thickness of plastic material 11 is cut to the required dimensions. The back or under surface of this composition is then treated with a coating of adhesive over which is placed a wire netting 12having a superposed close woven cloth fabric 13. The

the composition and this assembly is then placed in a steam press and subjected to sufficient heat and pressure until the plastic material has flowed into and assumed the exact contour of the negative mold; This squeezing and heating process requires sufficient time and pressure to force the material into the mold and then set it, the time required and the pressure used having been found to vary, over a wide range, dependent on the exigencies of the situation.

After being subjected to sufficient heat and pressure the composition and mold are removed from the press and separated. The wire netting and cloth fabric are then sewed or otherwise secured to the composition.

As a result of th e-preceding operations, a resilient plate 15 is produced bearing a design 16, which is anexact duplication of the design on original plate 1.

To permit plate 15 to be mounted on a rotary press the extensions are provided with suitable eyelets 17 to which the fastening cords holding the plate to the cylinder or other securing means are connected. Although this resilient plate has been referred to as being employed in connection with.

rotary presses, it is to be understood it may be conveniently used with flat bed presses if desired.

Conclusion.

face of the composition or plate as would.

occur in the use of metallic plates; fifth, imposes less mechanical strain on the elements of the press, as the impression of the plate is against the drum, cylinder, and this is especially important in printing a large form or design on fabrics; sixth, reduces cost of printing as with this improved plate a lower gradeof ink may be used;

seventh, lessens the possibility of offset, that 1 is, smutting of. one bag against the other as they are delivered by the press or as they are being baled.

Although in the foregoing, certain elements may have been set forth as best adapted to perform the functions alloted tor them, neveftheless, it is to be understood that various minor changes as to form, substance.

etc., may be resorted ,to within the scope of the appended claims without departing w from or sacrificing any of the principles of this invention.

- s va esescribed my l 'i i: vand throu h claims 1. A printing element, comprising a re' silient material bearing a predetermined design, a metallic reenforcement, and a fabric backing sewed to the under surface of such material, and means extending lat-' erally from such material to permit its attachment to a printing element. I 2. A printing element for printing burlap, jute, and other coarse fabrics comprising a design bearing portion composed of material resilient-1y yieldable to irregularities in the surface being printed, but pos-. sessing suflicient hardness to resist permanent distortion of the design when subjected to pressure in the printing operation, a flexible fabric backing .united to the design bearing portion and a metallic reenforcement interposed between the design bearing portion and'the said backing.

3. A printing element for printing burlap, jute, and other coarse fabrics comprising a resilient design bearing rubber material capable of withstanding extreme pressure without permanent distortion, a'flex ible backing vulcanized thereto, and a reenforcement interposed between the designbearing portion .and the said backing.

4. A printing element for printing burlap, jute, and other coarse fabrics com ris ing a design-bearing material compose of hard resilient rubber capable of withstanding extreme pressure without distortion, a flexible backing vulcanized to the designbearing portion and aifording a means for attaching the element to'a printing press and a metallic wire reenforcement, interposed between the design-bearing material and the backing. Y

5. A method of forming a printing plate for printing burlap, jute, and other coarse fabrics consisting in .uniting a rubber impression mate-rial, a metallic reenforcing material and a flexible fabric backing material by the application of pressure and heat.

6. A method of producing a printing element for printing burlap, jute, and other coarse fabrics consisting in vlucanizing a resilient impression material to a backing material and then further uniting suchmaterials by the passage of fastening means therethrough.

7. A method of producing a printing element for printing burlap, jute, and other coarse fabrics consisting in vulcanizing a resilient impression material to a reenforcing material and to a backing material.

and then further uniting such materials by the passage of a fastening means there- 8. method of producing a printing'element for printing burlap, jute, and other coarse fabrics consisting in vulcanizing a.

resilient impression material to a backing material and then sewing the materials together. r

9. A method of producing a printing element for printing burlap, jute, and other coarse fabrics consisting in vulcanizing a resilient impression material to a ree'nforcing material and to a backing material and then further uniting the said materials by sewv 10. Amethod of producing a printing element for printing burlap, jute, and other coarse fabrics consisting in molding a predetermined design on one side of a resilient body and' simultaneously uniting a reenforcement and a backing to the opposite side of the body by the application of heatand pressure. 11. A method of producing a printing element consisting in molding a predetermined design on one side of a resilient body and simultaneously uniting a backing to the opposite side of the body by the application of pressure and heat and then further uniting the body and backing through the medium of additional fastening means. 12. A method of producing a printing element consisting in molding a predetermined design on one side of a resilient body 1 and simultaneously vulcan'izing a reenforcement and a backing to the opposite side of the body b the application of pressure and heat and t en further uniting the body, reenforcenient and backing by the passage of additional fastening means therethrough.

13. A method of producing a printing element consisting in molding a predetermined design on one side of a resilient body and simulta'neously vulcanizing a backing to the opposite side of the body by the application pressure and heat and then further uniting the body and backing by sewing.

14. A method of producing a printing element consisting in molding a predetermined design on one side of a resilient body of soft pliable material and simultaneously uniting a metallic reenforcement and a flexible fabric backing to the opposite side of the material by the application of pressure and heat and then sewing the resilient material, reenforcement and backing together to pre vent relative displacement andidistortion of the parts when subjected to pressure.

15. A method for producing a resilient rinting. element foruse in printing burap, jute, and other coarse fabrics consisting in producing a negative mold by forcing into the design of a positive plate a matrixforming material, reenforcing such material with a metallic backing, providing a plastic composition having a reinforcement and fabric backing applied thereto and then to such composition by simultaneously vulcanizing the composition, reenforcement, and backing.

16. A printing element comprising a re silient design-bearing material and a backing material united. by vulcanization and by additional fastening means passing therethrough. I

17. A printing element comprising a resilient design-bearing material, a backing material, and a reinforcing material, united by vulcanization and by additional fastening means passing therethrough.

18. A printing element comprising a resilient design-bearing material and abacking material united by vulcanization and by stitching.

19.,As a new article of manufacture, a flexible printing plate for use in printing burlap, jute, and other coarse fabrics, formed of a relatively thin body of soft pliable rubber having a design vulcanized on one face thereof, and a Wire netting haying a superposed cloth fabric vulcanized to theopposite face, the said fabric having lateral extensions to permit attachment of the plate to a printing cylinder or other holding means. I p

20. As a new article of manufacture, a printing member for fabric-bag printing presses comprisingia design bearing portion possessing inherent properties of resiliency and hardnessin suficient degree to insure a clear non-blurred imprint on the fabric When the member is subjected to the pressure incident to its usage in the press.

21. As a new article of manufacture, a printing member for fabric-bag printing presses comprising a vulcanized and reinforced design bearing plastic material possessing inherent properties of resiliency and hardness in sufficient degree to insure a clear non-blurred imprint on the fabric when the member is subjected to the pressure incident to its usage in the press.

22. A method of producing a printing member for fabric-bag printing presses, consisting forming a body of plastic rubber, applying to one side of the rubber a mold having a non-metallic design bearing matrix mate ial reinforced by a solid metal backing and then subjecting the assembly to the action of heat and pressure in sufficient degree to inhance the inherent properties of hardness and resiliency of the rubber to the extent necessary to insure a clear nonblurred imprint on the fabric when the member is subjected to the pressure incident to its usage in the press.

FRED COTTON WIGGINS.

Witnesses:

L. S. ELsAs, C. E. HAYWARD. 

